Interferon system in mice infected with the scrapie agent

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Immunology
• Virology

Background:

• Scrapie is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy.
• Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) is an interferon inducer.
• The role of interferon in scrapie pathogenesis is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the therapeutic potential of polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid in scrapie infection.
• To determine the effect of scrapie infection on the interferon response.

Main Methods:

• Mice were infected with scrapie.
• Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid was administered as a therapy.
• Interferon response was measured after stimulation with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid or Newcastle disease virus.

Main Results:

• Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid therapy did not protect scrapie-infected mice.
• Scrapie infection did not impair the interferon response to polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid.
• Scrapie infection did not affect the interferon response to Newcastle disease virus.

Conclusions:

• Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid is not an effective therapy for scrapie.
• Scrapie infection does not significantly alter the host's interferon-mediated immune response.